Local Dancers Gear Up for Auditions and Spring Performance Season With Special Guest Teacher and Ballet Midwest Alumna

Students of Barbara's Conservatory of Dance and Incumbent Ballet Midwest Company Dancers Will Have the Opportunity to Learn Audition Insider Tips and On-Stage Performance Secrets From Topeka Native and Past Company Member

On Saturday, January 12, 2008 from 2:30 - 6:00 p.m. at Barbara's Conservatory of Dance, alumna Rebekah Iliff will teach a series of master classes to prepare dancers for upcoming Ballet Midwest company auditions and studio placement classes. After ten years of working and living in cities from New York to Chicago to Miami, performing with several professional dance companies, becoming an entertainment marketing specialist, and launching her own organizational development consulting firm in Los Angeles, Iliff is excited to return home and give back to the dance community that initially launched her career.

"Master classes are a great way for dancers to gain exposure to new teaching styles, learn inside tips from seasoned professionals, and feel excited and inspired about the art of ballet," remarks Barbara Ebert, founder of Barbara's Conservatory of Dance and Artistic Director for Ballet Midwest, Inc. "Rebekah, and other alumni who stay involved with the company and studio, act as role models to our young dancers. It's important for the growth of the organization to continually inspire the students and company members through exposure to individuals who understand the value of dance and have applied the principles in other areas of life."

For over thirty years, Ebert has owned and operated Barbara's Conservatory of Dance, offering young artists unsurpassed, high quality dance tutelage in the areas of ballet, jazz, tap, and modern. Additionally, Ebert has served as the Artistic Director for Ballet Midwest, Inc. and has overseen all casting and choreography for the company's annual productions of "The Nutcracker Ballet" and classical works such as "Swan Lake," "Coppelia," "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty," "Romeo and Juliet," and "La Fille Mal Gardee," to name a few.

The master classes are strategically scheduled one week prior to Ballet Midwest Company auditions in order to give incumbent members a chance to perfect their current technique and gain knowledge through Iliff's myriad of experiences in the dance and entertainment industries. For those auditioning for the first time, Iliff plans on sharing important tips for calming nerves, staying focused, and keeping a positive attitude. "Through my many years of dance auditions, modeling calls, on-stage performances, and business endeavors, I have learned that rejection is inevitable and acceptance is usually temporary. That being said, the ability to remain positive regardless of the outcome, coupled with maintaining a realistic perspective about life are integral aspects to success -- whether it's dancing, getting accepted to a University, or landing a job. I always try to reinforce that at the end of the day, you should be having fun… and if you aren't happy, and feel negative about yourself then it's time to move on!"

The advanced level class will be offered from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m., while the intermediate level will take place from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. The cost is $15 per student, or $10 for Ballet Midwest company members. Attendees can pay by check (made payable to Ballet Midwest) or cash. Barbara's Conservatory of Dance is located at 4300 SW Huntoon, Topeka, KS, 66604. For more information about the master classes, upcoming company Ballet Midwest Company auditions, or for general inquiries, please call 785-272-5991 or visit: www.geocities.com/balletmidwest/newsletter.html.

About Rebekah Iliff

Rebekah Iliff is the founder of Smart Girls Consulting, a Los Angeles-based organizational development firm offering client services in the areas of public relations, strategic marketing, brand development, grant writing, copywriting, and sponsorship. From January 2006 to August 2007, Rebekah served as the Public Relations and Business Development Coordinator for XA, The Experiential Agency. Prior to XA, she was the Director of Marketing and Public Relations and Partner of Rockit Ranch Productions located in Chicago, IL. From 1997-2002, Rebekah attended Loyola University Chicago's prestigious College of Arts & Sciences, earning a B.A. of Philosophy while maintaining a professional dance career with the Ballet Chicago Youth Company, David Taylor Dance Theatre, Boulder Ballet, and Ballet Du Soleil.

In addition to her responsibilities with SGC, Rebekah is currently obtaining her Master of Arts in Organizational Management and Community Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. She is an Executive Member of the Business Council For Peace, and a Sustaining Member of The Foundation For Women. She dedicates ample time and professional services to these organizations in an attempt to raise awareness for important social issues such as women's rights, microfinance, and developing small businesses in post-conflict areas as a catalyst for peace and stability.

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